the High Tantrika lived in splendid isolation. If she succeeded in raising the fire with Takshak tonight, never again would she be forced to swallow the jealousy of these petty women! She stared bleakly down at the wooden chest containing her few garments, brooding on the mis-timing of Hariaksa’s accident. Was it any wonder Atulya was so upset? The two sages were linked by the mysterious fire of kundalini and together they accomplished the complex task of running Rudralaya in near perfect harmony. Obviously it had shaken Atulya to end the gruelling seven-year training without his cheerful companion by his side.

Well before noon, ten splendid chariots drove up Rudralaya’s private lane and raced out again, carrying ten excited priestesses. Ishvari waited impatiently in the banyan grove for her own chariot...

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